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Panic Attack or Crazy Worry?

One
in four Americans have an anxiety disorder, and your partner may be one
of them. Anxiety symptoms show up in a lot of different ways, and for
the person experiencing them, they can be really unpleasant, to put it
nicely.

Many people tolerate their anxiety for many years before something
makes them decide enough is enough, and they make an appointment to see a
doctor or therapist.

Clients will sometimes present to their doctorâs offices with what
they describe as âpanic attacks,â but in reality, a better name for what
they are experiencing would be âcrazy worry.â I am not trying to
invalidate the real discomfort that comes along with these feelings, but
panic disorder has specific criteria that must be met in order to get a
diagnosis.

People with panic disorder have sudden and repeated
attacks of fear that last for several minutes. Sometimes symptoms may
last longer. These are called panic attacks. Panic attacks are
characterized by a fear of disaster or of losing control even when there
is no real danger. A person may also have a strong physical reaction
during a panic attack. It may feel like having a heart attack. Panic
attacks can occur at any time, and many people with panic disorder worry
about and dread the possibility of having another attack.

A person with panic disorder may become discouraged and feel ashamed
because he or she cannot carry out normal routines like going to the
grocery store or driving. Having panic disorder can also interfere with
school or work.

Panic disorder often begins in the late teens or early adulthood. More women than men have panic disorder.

Key differences between panic attacks and âcrazy worryâ:

Panic attacks are usually short in duration, peaking in 10 minutes
or so, then subsiding. âCrazy worryâ can go on for hours, days, or even
weeks or months.

Panic attack symptoms, while similar to âcrazy worryâ symptoms,
generally are more intense. During a panic attack, your partner may feel
as if they are having a heart attack, going crazy, or dying. âCrazy
worryâ symptoms are generally tolerable, albeit really uncomfortable.
People call ambulances for panic attacks; itâs less likely that would
happen for someone experiencing âcrazy worry.â This site has a nice side-by-side list that compares the symptoms.

âCrazy worryâ is usually in response to a stressor. Panic attacks
come out of the blue, and are often not associated with anything in
particular.

So, why does it matter if what your partner is experiencing is a
âtrueâ panic attack versus âcrazy worryâ? Both are causing your partner
problems, right?

You are right. It doesnât matter. Encourage your partner to seek professional help so that it truly doesnât matter.

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